With these words, Luana attacked him with much more force than before. The black mark on her neck intensified as did the light emanating from Roxy's chest.

encouraged the latter impatiently.

While wanting to hurt the young captain with the dagger again, the latter blocked her attack and took her wrist, squeezing it very hard in his hand.

The young girl tried to free herself by throwing a punch with her other hand which was also blocked by the young man. He leaned towards her and put his face closer to hers, looking at her coldly.

he said very dryly.

she whispered.

Her eyes began to change color simultaneously, going from brown to purple and vice versa. Roxy felt an excruciating pain pierce her chest that made her groan.

she screamed angrily.

he continued.

the girl screamed in agony.

he added reluctantly.

The young girl let out a big, abominable scream while the black mark on her neck shone powerfully before a light of the same color came out suddenly from it and went to pierce Roxy's heart.

she growled in excruciating pain.

The purple-haired woman fell heavily to her knees on the ground, blood pouring from her mouth and chest.

she whispered, clenching her fists in anger.

While trying to advance towards the two young people to fight them again, she was attacked by Leo from behind who smashed her to pieces with his claws and canines in seconds without giving her time to react. The woman evaporated like black dust into the air.

Luana's eyes returned to their original color before she broke down in tears as she fell forward. The young captain quickly caught her up and took her in his arms, hugging her very tightly.

whispered, sobbing and clutching the young man's shirt with her hands.

he replied, kissing the top of her head.

she continued while sobbing even harder.

Listening to these words, Lucas felt a pain pierce his heart. He should never have said those things to her. But it was to save her and free her from the hypnosis. Despite knowing this, he felt enormous guilt because of the girl's condition.

he whispered.

The young girl, no longer able to resist the fatigue and emotional exhaustion she had received, passed out on Lucas' arms. The latter carried her gently before calling on Leo to place her on his back.

After that, he climbed up behind her and hugged her tightly to keep her from getting cold as he ordered the animal to return to the palace.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

exclaimed the emperor angrily while trying to get rid of the hold of Angus and Edgar.

Eric, Elion and Matthew, who were standing nearby, had sad expressions on their faces as they saw the scene unfold in front of them.

Eric tried to reassure him.

Angus begged.

The emperor immediately fell silent when he saw, in the distance, the silhouette of a wolf carrying two people on its back.

he exclaimed with joy and relief.

Angus and Edgar let go of him before he rushed towards the palace gate.

The knight descended from the animals back before taking the young girl in his arms and bringing her back to her father who took care to take her from Lucas's arms.

he growled, feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen.

Blood started to flow again as Lucas put his hand on his wound to apply pressure on it.

exclaimed the emperor in concern.

With those words, Arthur nodded before leading his daughter inside, followed by the others.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Luana woke up in her bedroom with massive headaches and nausea. While trying to get up, her best friend Azusa came to help her.

she said with relief.

she asked with a start.

the young lady replied.

With these words, someone knocked on the bedroom door before opening it gently. It was Mina and Emery who made their entrance. Seeing the young girl awake, they gave her a big smile of relief.

Emery exclaimed in happiness.

Mina whispered, sighing heavily.

The two young girls moved towards her bed before sitting down next to her on it.

said young Taliny.

Emery asked.

Azusa explained.

asked the brown-haired girl.

Mina retorted, completely confused.

Emery put her hand on that of the young princess who remained silent, staring into space. The girl gave her a sympathetic smile.

she said.

Mina added encouragingly. .

Azusa asked cautiously.

With these words, the young princess burst into tears. She sobbed very loudly, clutching the sheets of her bed with her hands in anger and frustration.

she cried out until her throat hurt.

Azusa muttered with an apologetic expression.

The young princess sobbed even harder before being taken in the arms of her best friend under the sad eyes of the two other young girls.

she whispered, still crying.

the latter reassured, stroking her hair gently.

Emery and Mina joined in the hug, completely oblivious to the fact that the young captain was standing on the other side of the door, leaning against it.

He froze after hearing what the girl had said out loud. He felt his heart break into a million pieces. Even the wound in his abdomen didn't hurt as much as the wound in his heart.

He clenched his fists tightly before stepping back and walking down the long hallway.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

After dinner, Arthur went to his office accompanied by Angus and Edgar. They all sat together in the armchairs to discuss.

Angus said.

Arthur muttered with a sigh of relief.

Edgar laughed lightly.

Arthur replied with an expression of regret.

added Duke Lobelia.

Edgar said.

Angus calculated.

Arthur replied.

Angus explained.

wondered Count Taliny.

," Angus retorted.

the emperor answered.

he hesitated in realisation.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Around midnight, someone knocked on Arthur's office door. The latter was alone, arranging his documents and putting them in their respective drawers.

he ordered tiredly.

Lucas entered the room, dressed in a white tunic, black pants and boots of the same color. He had a tired look ok his face.

he greeted while bowing.

he asked worriedly.

he said, smiling affectionately at him.

Hearing those words, Lucas put on a serious expression on his face while he kept his gaze on the floor. After a few seconds of silence, he looked up at Arthur.

he began.

the emperor asked with a comforting smile.